6 Frequently Asked Questions About Therapy

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1. HOW CAN THERAPY HELP ME?
 

There are a number of benefits to engaging in therapy. Therapists provide support, problem-solving skills, and enhance coping strategies for issues such as depression, anxiety, relationship troubles, unresolved childhood issues, grief, stress management, body image issues and creative blocks. Many people also find that counselors can be a tremendous asset to managing personal growth, interpersonal relationships, family concerns, marriage issues, and the hassles of daily life. Therapists can provide a fresh perspective on a difficult problem or point you in the direction of a solution. The benefits you obtain from therapy depend on how well you use the process and put into practice what you learn. 

Some of the benefits available from therapy include:

• Attaining a better understanding of yourself, your goals and values
• Developing skills for improving your relationships
• Finding a resolution to the issues or concerns that led you to seek therapy
• Learning new ways to cope with stress and anxiety
• Managing anger, grief, depression, and other emotional pressures
• Improving communications and listening skills
• Changing old behavior patterns and developing new ones
• Discovering new ways to solve problems in your family or marriage
• Improving your self-esteem and boosting self-confidence

2. DO I REALLY NEED THERAPY? 
 

Everyone goes through challenging situations. Therapy works best for people who realize they need a helping hand – and are ready for a change. Therapy provides long-lasting benefits and support, giving you the tools you need to avoid triggers, re-direct damaging patterns and overcome whatever challenges you face.
 

3. WHAT IS THERAPY LIKE?
 

 Therapy will be different depending on the individual.  In general, you can expect to discuss the current events happening in your life, your personal history relevant to your issue and report progress (or any new insights gained) from the previous therapy session.  Depending on your specific needs, therapy can be short-term, for a specific issue, or longer-term, to deal with more difficult patterns or your desire for more personal development.  Either way, it is most common to schedule regular therapy sessions (usually weekly, bi-weekly or monthly).
 

It is important to understand that you will get more results from therapy if you actively participate in the process.  The ultimate purpose of therapy is to help you bring what you learn in session back into your life.  Therefore, beyond the work you do in therapy sessions, we may suggest some things you can do outside of therapy to support your process - such as reading a pertinent book, journaling on specific topics, noting particular behaviors or taking action on your goals. People seeking psychotherapy are ready to make positive changes in their lives, are open to new perspectives and take responsibility for their lives.   
 

4. WHAT ABOUT MEDICATION AND PSYCHOTHERAPY?
 

It is well established that medication cannot be the sole solution to long-term for mental and emotional problems. Instead of just treating the symptom, therapy addresses the cause of our distress and the behavior patterns that curb our progress. You can best achieve sustainable growth and a greater sense of well-being with an integrative approach to wellness.  Working with your medical doctor you will help you determine the most comprehensive treatment plan. In some cases a combination of medication and therapy is the right course of action.
 

5. DO YOU TAKE INSURANCE AND HOW DOES THAT WORK?
 

We currently accept Carefirst BlueCross insurance. However, depending on your insurance coverage, most of your cost may be reimbursable through out-of-network benefits. To determine if you have mental health coverage through your insurance carrier, the first thing you should do is contact your health insurance provider.  Check your coverage carefully and make sure you understand their answers.  Some helpful questions you can ask include:
 

• What are my mental health benefits? 
• What is the coverage amount per therapy session?
• How many therapy sessions does my plan cover?
• How much does my insurance pay for an out-of-network provider?
• Is approval required from my primary care physician?

6. ARE MY SESSIONS CONFIDENTIAL?
 

Confidentiality is one of the most important components between a client and psychotherapist. Successful therapy requires a high degree of trust with highly sensitive subject matter.  We provide a written copy of a confidential disclosure agreement, and you can expect that what you discuss in session will not be shared with anyone.  This is called “Informed Consent”.  Sometimes, however, you may want me to share information or give an update to someone on your healthcare team (your physician, attorney or school in the case of child clients), but by law we cannot release this information without obtaining your written permission.
 

However, state law and professional ethics require therapists to maintain confidentiality except for the following situations:
 

• If a client intends to harm himself or herself we will make every effort to enlist their cooperation in ensuring their safety. If they do not cooperate, we will take further measures without their permission that are provided to me by law in order to ensure their safety.
   
• Suspected child abuse or dependent adult or elder abuse, for which we are required by law to report this to the appropriate authorities immediately. 
   
• If a client is threatening serious bodily harm to another person/s, we must notify the police and inform the intended victim.